preschoolmom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2007
- Messages
- 979
I don't have plans for a long trip report, but I wanted to give shout outs and major thanks to Hydroguy for his World of Color thread and diagram. We were in the blue section, second green star, in the wet zone. It worked beautifully for us.
Thanks to everyone that posted in that thread and shared how to get to the railing. We lined up early (6:30 for an 8:15 show), and were almost at the front (don't ask, the cast members moved the front of the line after telling several of us to stand by a tree). We managed to get ourselves to a rail spot anyway (most people seemed clueless on that aspect). I was so, so, so thankful - as I really wanted to see this show and I have short kids
The front red wet zone on the map was reserved on that evening - so it was not available to us. If we were going to go again, We would do yellow, and wet zone again - that is a better view, I think, but again, we were fine, the kids hung their heads over the railing to see. Disney really flubbed the viewing for this show! I heard so many people saying how they couldn't see at all, and saw a little girl crying - her mom looked so distraught after the show. 
And, in uber obnoxious fashion, some people at the front, front, front of the yellow held their kids (in ears!) on their shoulders, preventing even more people from being able to see. 
Also, Huge thanks to the "wide right" for Radiator Springs! We followed that and got right up to the front on our rope drop for Radiator Springs. Our days were very slow and low crowds, though - so fast passes didn't run out until late afternoons regardless. We rode it three times over two days (could have done more - but were happy with our experiences).
We had an absolute blast! The crowds were very low. It was very, very hot Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but cooler on Thursday.
Because the crowds were low - we got to ride everything with practically no waiting = which really makes a Disney trip. I really love the old Fast Pass system - so that was a nice perk, too.
Park Vs. Park - I'd have to say I really loved Disneyland. California Adventure was colorful and fun - but I didn't love it.
The people in California felt much more laid back than the people in Orlando... I don't know, again, if this was a function of the lower crowds - but we saw very little running and craziness at rope drops.
One of my splurges was to pay a limo company (DK Livery) to pick us up at LAX, stop at a grocery store, then deliver us to HOJO. I'm so thankful I did this! It really made the trip much less stressful than hauling our crew and luggage onto a shuttle. We did it for the way home, too = and not having to worry about other stops really made the trip easier for me.
DH did miss the on-site Disney experience with the big pool at Pop Century - and I can see what he means. When you go to Disney World = pretty much everyone is on vacation. Disney World is so big, with the four parks and however many resorts and the restaurants and Downtown Disney and the transportation = that you really are in a huge resort. Disneyland/California Adventure does have more of a local/theme park feel. Disneyland still feels magical - but California Adventure felt a lot like a very clean six flags (except for Carsland, which is perfect and unbelievable!!!). We noticed (due to our choice of weeks - which was very intentional!), that there weren't many school aged kids in the parks at all! There were lots of little ones - babies and preschoolers, and lots of adults. Almost no kids our kids ages (there were some, of course, but it was very clear that most people leave their kids in school in September. I think DH also missed the all inclusive feel of Disney World. When we go, we usually buy the meal plan, and then it's all paid for, and he doesn't have to think about it. They also include the shuttle from the airport (though I was so spoiled by this limo experience, I may never not use one again!) LOL...
Carsland was well worth the trip. It was incredible. Absolutely perfect.
Four days was just perfect. We mostly did two days in each park. It was nice to do one day in CA with the rope drop for Radiator Springs and World of Color, knowing we had a second day to really slow down and enjoy the park again. We got to ride absolutely everything we wanted. In Disneyland, due to the low crowds, we got to ride everything multiple times. The kids love Big Thunder, Matterhorn(a new favorite!), and Splash. DH and I loved Pirates (much better in Disneyland) and Indiana Jones(!!! Wow!). Carsland, World of Color, and Grizzly River Rapids were huge hits in CA. We also liked Toy Story Mania and Soarin (Isabelle will never be tall enough to ride without the center strap, LOL).
The HoJo was great. Very reasonable for the space. All five of us fit comfortably in the room - with a roll away bed and a table and chairs! It was in decent enough shape - and housekeeping was great. We even had a balcony! It was super quiet (I read a lot of complaints about highway noise on Trip Advisor - but we live next to major expressways at home = non-issue for us). We were in a very well insulated building and on the opposite side of the highway - and we couldn't hear anything at all. It was a walk - the furthest from the entrance of all the hotels on the strip, but it had a nice pool, and worked fine for us. Next time, I'd stay even closer to the entrance.
One thing that was a little odd about Disneyland/CA is that they constantly asked the girls how old they were. I'm thinking it must be a state law in California that they have to be 7 to ride without an adult? They never ever ask us this in Disney World. It is posted at the entrance to every ride as well. Not a big deal - just something we noticed.
So, we had a really great time. I would definitely consider going back to Disneyland/CA = especially part of a longer trip to California. DH and I sat in the Tiki Room with the kids late one evening, and they sat in the row in front of us. And I said to DH, "This is all going to be over in five minutes! They are going to be grown and gone!" It makes my heart hurt to think about it. But for now? The girls still hold our hands sometimes, and all three kids had an absolute blast, and they all chose new ears to wear, and wow are we ever blessed!
Thanks again to the Dis for all the help - we had a blast exploring Disneyland - and absolutely loved the walkability and attractions in two parks instead of the four in Disney World.
Thanks to everyone that posted in that thread and shared how to get to the railing. We lined up early (6:30 for an 8:15 show), and were almost at the front (don't ask, the cast members moved the front of the line after telling several of us to stand by a tree). We managed to get ourselves to a rail spot anyway (most people seemed clueless on that aspect). I was so, so, so thankful - as I really wanted to see this show and I have short kids
The front red wet zone on the map was reserved on that evening - so it was not available to us. If we were going to go again, We would do yellow, and wet zone again - that is a better view, I think, but again, we were fine, the kids hung their heads over the railing to see. Disney really flubbed the viewing for this show! I heard so many people saying how they couldn't see at all, and saw a little girl crying - her mom looked so distraught after the show. And, in uber obnoxious fashion, some people at the front, front, front of the yellow held their kids (in ears!) on their shoulders, preventing even more people from being able to see. Also, Huge thanks to the "wide right" for Radiator Springs! We followed that and got right up to the front on our rope drop for Radiator Springs. Our days were very slow and low crowds, though - so fast passes didn't run out until late afternoons regardless. We rode it three times over two days (could have done more - but were happy with our experiences).
We had an absolute blast! The crowds were very low. It was very, very hot Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but cooler on Thursday.
Because the crowds were low - we got to ride everything with practically no waiting = which really makes a Disney trip. I really love the old Fast Pass system - so that was a nice perk, too.
Park Vs. Park - I'd have to say I really loved Disneyland. California Adventure was colorful and fun - but I didn't love it.
The people in California felt much more laid back than the people in Orlando... I don't know, again, if this was a function of the lower crowds - but we saw very little running and craziness at rope drops.
One of my splurges was to pay a limo company (DK Livery) to pick us up at LAX, stop at a grocery store, then deliver us to HOJO. I'm so thankful I did this! It really made the trip much less stressful than hauling our crew and luggage onto a shuttle. We did it for the way home, too = and not having to worry about other stops really made the trip easier for me.
DH did miss the on-site Disney experience with the big pool at Pop Century - and I can see what he means. When you go to Disney World = pretty much everyone is on vacation. Disney World is so big, with the four parks and however many resorts and the restaurants and Downtown Disney and the transportation = that you really are in a huge resort. Disneyland/California Adventure does have more of a local/theme park feel. Disneyland still feels magical - but California Adventure felt a lot like a very clean six flags (except for Carsland, which is perfect and unbelievable!!!). We noticed (due to our choice of weeks - which was very intentional!), that there weren't many school aged kids in the parks at all! There were lots of little ones - babies and preschoolers, and lots of adults. Almost no kids our kids ages (there were some, of course, but it was very clear that most people leave their kids in school in September. I think DH also missed the all inclusive feel of Disney World. When we go, we usually buy the meal plan, and then it's all paid for, and he doesn't have to think about it. They also include the shuttle from the airport (though I was so spoiled by this limo experience, I may never not use one again!) LOL...
Carsland was well worth the trip. It was incredible. Absolutely perfect.
Four days was just perfect. We mostly did two days in each park. It was nice to do one day in CA with the rope drop for Radiator Springs and World of Color, knowing we had a second day to really slow down and enjoy the park again. We got to ride absolutely everything we wanted. In Disneyland, due to the low crowds, we got to ride everything multiple times. The kids love Big Thunder, Matterhorn(a new favorite!), and Splash. DH and I loved Pirates (much better in Disneyland) and Indiana Jones(!!! Wow!). Carsland, World of Color, and Grizzly River Rapids were huge hits in CA. We also liked Toy Story Mania and Soarin (Isabelle will never be tall enough to ride without the center strap, LOL).
The HoJo was great. Very reasonable for the space. All five of us fit comfortably in the room - with a roll away bed and a table and chairs! It was in decent enough shape - and housekeeping was great. We even had a balcony! It was super quiet (I read a lot of complaints about highway noise on Trip Advisor - but we live next to major expressways at home = non-issue for us). We were in a very well insulated building and on the opposite side of the highway - and we couldn't hear anything at all. It was a walk - the furthest from the entrance of all the hotels on the strip, but it had a nice pool, and worked fine for us. Next time, I'd stay even closer to the entrance.
One thing that was a little odd about Disneyland/CA is that they constantly asked the girls how old they were. I'm thinking it must be a state law in California that they have to be 7 to ride without an adult? They never ever ask us this in Disney World. It is posted at the entrance to every ride as well. Not a big deal - just something we noticed.
So, we had a really great time. I would definitely consider going back to Disneyland/CA = especially part of a longer trip to California. DH and I sat in the Tiki Room with the kids late one evening, and they sat in the row in front of us. And I said to DH, "This is all going to be over in five minutes! They are going to be grown and gone!" It makes my heart hurt to think about it. But for now? The girls still hold our hands sometimes, and all three kids had an absolute blast, and they all chose new ears to wear, and wow are we ever blessed!
Thanks again to the Dis for all the help - we had a blast exploring Disneyland - and absolutely loved the walkability and attractions in two parks instead of the four in Disney World.
It was one of my must dos - I just love colors and rainbows and I knew it would be amazing with the water - and it did not disappoint! I loved most of the clips they showed, too - but especially the scene from Up 
